Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) spent more public money on mailers than any other lawmaker
The Washington Post today ran a story on several members of Congress who are crying for budget cuts while spending thousands on mailers, radio ads, emails and robo-calls for their respective campaigns. At the top of the paper’s list of those who spent the most taxpayer money on fliers, brochures, etc. in the first quarter of 2011? Florida’s own Vern Buchanan
Jul 31, 2020652.1K Shares11.2M Views
The Washington Post today ran a storyon several members of Congress who are crying for budget cuts while spending thousands on mailers, radio ads, emails and robo-calls for their respective campaigns. At the top of the paper’s list of those who spent the most taxpayer money on fliers, brochures, etc. in the first quarter of 2011? Florida’s own Vern Buchanan. #
Buchanan is one of 13 members of Congress (12 Republicans, one Democrat) to spend at least “$50,000 on these communications, more than six times the average in Congress.” #
“„In the first quarter of 2011, House records show, Buchanan spent $142,198 on mailings and other means of mass communication. #
That was more than any other representative, and about 19 times the average expenditure of $7,500. Among his colleagues, 209 representatives got by without spending any money in that quarter, according to House records. #
Buchanan’s staff said the money was spent on, among other things, a full-color mailingthat went out across his district. One side was emblazoned with Buchanan’s picture, against a backdrop of the Capitol dome and the Constitution. The other showed Buchanan shaking hands with veterans. #
It also included a survey on political issues and a simulated handwritten note from Buchanan: “Please share your thoughts with me, because I work for you! Vern.” #
A spokesperson for Buchanan, R-Sarasota, defended the mailings, telling the Post, “We reach out … to our constituents and ask them if they think that we’re reaching out too much. … And the vast majority say [it’s] just the right amount. If that’s the case, then we’re going to keep doing it.” #
Paolo Reyna
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Paolo Reyna is a writer and storyteller with a wide range of interests. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies.
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